Ultrasonic electric shaver

ABSTRACT

An electric razor having a guard member with a plurality of apertures for hairs to extend therethrough and a cutter member oscillated relative to the guard member for severing the hairs. The guard member and/or the cutter member are vibrated at an ultrasonic rate to improve the entry of hairs into the operative range of the cutter member, to reduce the force required to oscillate the cutter member relative to the guard member, and to utilize the high accelerations of the ultrasonically vibrated cutter member in shearing the hairs, and the method of shaving accordingly.

United States Patent Balamuth et al.

ULTRASONIC ELECTRIC SHAVER Inventors: Lewis Balamuth, New York; ManuelKaratjas, Glen Oaks, both of N.Y.

Ultrasonic Systems, lnc., Farmingdale, N.Y.

Filed: Oct. 28, 1971 Appl. No.: 193,246

Assignee:

US. Cl 83/14, 30/34.2, 30/45,

83/701 Int. Cl B26b 19/28 Field of Search 83/13, 14, 701' ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1969 Thuillier 30/45 [451 Sept. 4, 19733,610,080 10/1971 Kuris ..s3/13 3,509,626 5/l970 Mead /45 PrimaryExaminerFrank T. Yost Attorney-Leonard W. Suroff [57] ABSTRACT Anelectric razor having a guard member with a plurality of apertures forhairs to extend therethrough and a cutter member oscillated relative tothe guard member for severing the hairs. The guard member and/or thecutter member are vibrated at an ultrasonic rate to improve the entry ofhairs into the operative range of the cutter member, to reduce the forcerequired to oscillate the cutter member relative to the guard member,and to utilize the high accelerations of the ultrasonically vibratedcutter member in shearing the hairs, and the method of shavingaccordingly.

88 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 4, 1973 6 ShectsSheet l WIIll w\ u II k\ (I U r ill|lla hm NR -l Q R Q\ I- .Q n. 1 wm m u NV mm Ei R J NQFm Patented Sept. 4, 1973 3,755,105

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 54 FIG. 4

mmmmmilflmhlildmm Patented Sept. 4, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept.4, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 4, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I QFmBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to methods andapparatus for electric shaving, and more particularly to methods andapparatus for personal shaving employing ultrasonic energy suitable forregular use in the home.

The use of ultrasonic energy has been proposed for shaving in which arazor blade is ultrasonically vibrated for engagement with and cuttingthe hairs in a wet type shaving instrument as exemplified in US. Pat.Nos. 3,509,626 and 3,610,080, the latter patent assigned to the assigneeof the present invention.

The inventors of the present invention have now discovered thatultrasonic energy may be utilized in an electric dry" type shaver toenhance its effectiveness in various ways as hereinafter explained indetail.

The present art of dry shaving instruments take various forms, but allconsist basically of an electric motor powered by battery or from astandard electric current source, and a blade or cutting member which isdriven by the motor. The motion imparted to the blade member may berotary, longitudinal, or oscillatory. In all of the devices of this typeknown to date, the movement of the blade member is effected at a rate ofspeed related to commercial power frequencies, i.e., 60 cycles persecond, and the blade member may move in the order of from generally 60to 120 times a second.

Such motor driven instruments provide certain advantages overconventional manual shaving. Since a great many more cutting edges persecond are provided by the powered device, substantially more cutting isperformed by the user in a given amount of time. Also, since the motorprovides the power necessary to move the cutting head in the prescribedmanner it is only necessary for the user to guide the guard member overthe skin surfaces being shaved to achieve proper results. These devicesthen are appealing in that they are relatively simple to use and alsoserve to provide what amounts to an increased coverage to an area perunit time, as compared to conventional manual shaving.

However, the use of these conventional motor driven and manual shavinginstruments does not overcome many objectionable aspects of shaving.Essentially, to obtain an optimum shave there are two factors that areimportant. The first is that we have a minimal amount of frictionalresistance between the shaving instrument and the skin as it is movedrelative thereto, and the second is that the cutting edge of the bladebe maintained as sharp as possible to facilitate the cutting of thehairs as the shaving instrument moves across the surface of the skin.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of the presentinvention to avoid and overcome the objections to prior art practices bythe provisions of methods and apparatus employing ultrasonic energy forshaving which enables significantly better shaving of skin and which iscompletely safe for use in the home.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel and improvedshaving techniques and apparatus for dry shaving giving clean shaves forvarious kinds of hair growths.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel forms of shavingapparatus and improved shaving techniques employing ultrasonic energy inwhich the frictional resistance to movement. of the shaving instrumentover the skin is substantially reduced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedshaving technique and apparatus employing ultrasonic energy which may beemployed for dry shaving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel form ofshaving apparatus employing ultrasonic energy in which the rate ofuptake of hairs through the guard member is increased. Other objects andadvantages of the present invention will be obvious as the disclosureproceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of the present invention,and other objects which will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds, are achieved by providing a series of features, steps andelements assembled and working together in interrelated combination toprovide the shaving effects of the present invention. The presentinventors have discovered that, when ultrasonic energy is applied to acutting member that an improved shave may be obtained without any damageto the skin.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention the electric razor isdesigned to overcome certain limitations or disadvantageous of presentday dry shavers.

In the field of electric shaving the current standard approach involvesthe use of a very thin metal sheet guard behind which an oscillatory orrotatory shear acting cutting head operates. In this way, hair is cut bythe shearing action as close to the surface of the skin as the thicknessof the guard. The trend in this direction has been to make thinnerguards so as to improve closeness of shaving. It is found with suchcommon electric shaving practice that various disadvantages accure, suchas the cutting through of the hair in an uneven manner due to to thevery low compliance of same, and an irritability to the skin adjacentthe hair due to a combination of factors such as the shear cutting forceneeded to cut the hair producing a drag on the skin together with arubbing action as well as possible irritation arising from the jaggedcut hair itself. For example, in cutting through a hair, the hair startsto bend and so although it may be cut very close to the skin at thebeginning of the out, due to said bending the hair tapers off to a sharppoint. This point diminishes the feel of smoothness during the day asthe hair grows out preparatory to a new shave. In the case of verydelicate skin, the sharp pointed hairs actually curl about and thepoint, by penetrating the skin, begins to develop an ingrown hair whichserves not only for irritation but also for minor skin infections.

The inventors have discovered that by vibrating the guard member at anultrasonic rate the uptake of the hairs or their ability to enter theguard apertures is substantially enhanced. As is known each guard membercontains a plurality of apertures in spaced relation to each other andthat the initial step in the shaving process is their entering throughthe apertures.

Now a basic fact of the invention rests on the unexpected discoverythat, as the guard member of small openings is placed lightly againstthe bearded skin to be shaved, when the ultrasonic vibrations arepresent, the hairs feed automatically into the openings in a remarkablefashion; an effect wholly absent when the ultrasonic vibrations areabsent. Of course, as the hairs feed through the openings, the shearcutter head immediately cuts them off completely as long as the cutterhead has a gross transverse motion greater than the diameter of thehair. If this gross motion is 0.5 mm, which is easily attainable andlarger than the coarsest hair one would be likely to encounter thecutting will take place. The total result of the unique combination ofmotions disclosed is, that hairs may be removed from the face with alighter pressure, and a closeness and comfort not hitherto possible forelectric shavers in regular use. In addition, the design makes possiblethe use of a light weight shaver of dimensions smaller than thosecurrently on the market. Tightness and compactness are obviousadvantages when combined with the superior shaving qualities indicated.

Just how the ultrasonic energy produces the unique effect offacilitating beard hair feed through in the guard or stator elements isnot completely understood, but the presence of the effect is readilydemonstrable. It might be theorized that, in general a high frequencymechanical vibration field facilitates feed through of small elements ina sieve, by producing a substantial friction reduction. it is, in fact,well known in the ultrasonic art that the feed-through of powders andviscous masses may be enormously accelerated by vibrating the sieve.There is a sufficient similarity hence to warrent the supposition thatsome aspect of this accelerated feed through effect is in fact presentin the disclosed shaver.

The shaver guard member (as well as the cutters) may be designed toaccomodate a plane surface output in contact with the skin, or a curvedsurface contour such as is exemplified by a cylindrical or a sphericalsurface.

The present invention utilizes an ultrasonic motor, which is essentiallyan electric motor, and has an output that oscillates or reciprocatesback and forth at a very high number of reciprocations per second, whichwe call the frequency of the motor. For example, above 16,000reciprocations per second, we are in a range which for sound waves isabove the level of human hearing, hence the term ultrasonic. Now, if weconsider a vibrating or reciprocating element which is moving back andforth over a space of about 0.001 of an inch in the ultrasonic range offrequency, this element will reach the incredibly high acceleration ofmore than 20,000 times the acceleration of gravity. This unique propertyof ultrasonic motors cannot be realized by any other known means wheresuch small motions are involved. For the sake of completeness and forclear understanding, it should be mentioned that although the number ofreciprocal strokes per second is very high, the top speed realized bythe vibrating element during each stroke is a quite low speed actuallyin the horse and buggy range of to miles per hour. Therefore. with theultrasonic motor in the range being described, we are dealing with avery high reciprocal rate and a very high acceleration combined with arelatively low peak speed. This is very important in order to appreciatethat with ultrasonic cutting devices we are dealing with an extremelysafe kind of tool, which has been amply demonstrated in the dental andindustrial fields over a period of years. Now, of course, the questionnaturally arises what is the relevance of these technical facts to theperformance of an ultrasonic electric shaver.

If a cutting edge be allowed to reciprocate at an ultrasonic frequency,it will approach and recede from a surface to which it is applied manythousands of times every second. Let us follow the blade edge during onecomplete cycle of reciprocation. Let us say we start at the point whereit is in contact with the surface and instantly it recedes from thatsurface due to the oscillation and it continues to recede for a halfcycle during the next half cycle it again approaches the surface comingin contact once again at the completion at the second half of the cycle.Now this whole operation has taken no more than l/30,000 of a second asour ultrasonic motors frequency is 30,000 vibrations per second. in thisincredibly short period of time the acceleration of the output edge ofthe motor is so high that the surface being pressed against remains outof contact with the edge during most of the cycle. From this it followsthat a cutter or blade member being used in this manner will be out ofcontact with the guard member practically all the time with the resultthat there is set up what is called a relatively impenetrable zone ofmotion. The consequence is that the high frequency oscillating bladeautomatically runs most of the time on an air film and the surfacefriction is greatly reduced. This produces an electric razor in which asmaller force is required to obtain the necessary gross movement of thecutter member.

This is one outstanding property realizable in an ultrasonic razor. inaddition, it is well known that the dynamic net force operating in amechanical system is equal to mass times acceleration, this is calledNewtons second law of motion. A consequence of this simple relationshipis that when the acceleration is extremely high (as in an ultrasonicmotor) then the dynamic force capability of such a motor is greatlymagnified. This means that a blade edge of the cutter member due to itsreciprocation is able to penetrate hair with a high dynamic force.Hence, in shaving terms such a shaver greatly reduces the dragordinarily incurred in actual cutting of hair at the same time once theblade has entered a given hair the high frequency or reciprocationreduces the friction that the blade encounters in passing through thehair. These two factors add up to the potential that the hair extendingthrough the guard member is cut clean through without the sharp pointsreferred to above in connection with standard methods of electricshaving due to the extreme case with which the hair is bent. Accordinglyas we endow the blade edge of the cutter member with the right kind ofreciprocating motion, whatever good qualities the blade edge had priorto reciprocation it will continue to have with the addition of thegreater enhanced improvements described above.

Accordingly, the ultrasonic energy when transmitted to the cutter membereffects a reduction of friction between the inner surface of the guardmember and the output edges of the cutter member. In a conventionalelectric razor a considerable amount of force is now required toovercome the static friction between the guard member and cutter member.By ultrasonically vibrating the cutter member this force issubstantially reduced. in addition, by inducing ultrasonic vibrationswithin the cutting member the shearing action is enhanced due to thehigh accelerations generated therein.

Although the discussion of the invention has been limited to basicmechanical considerations of shaving and the consequent comfort realizedby theuser, the ultrasonic razor of the present invention has additionalimportant virtues. As is well known, ointments, skin creams, skinconditioners, etc. have become an important adjunct to the mens skincare market. Now, in the presence of ultrasonic energy, medicaments inthe form of conditioners will be more effective in performing theirfunctions. This arises because of a variety of effects wherebyultrasonic energy introduces the possibility of superior cleansingaction and enhanced diffusion or penetration of the skin and in manycases an increased chemical activity for the given conditioner. Thepresent invention permits the use of chemical products for skin usewhich will have an enhanced useful effect automatically occurring duringthe previous processes disclosed herein.

In conclusion, it is therefore believed that as stated at the outset,the ultrasonic motor introduces unique possibilities where through acombination of new effects a completely new concept in shaving is madepossible. This includes smothness in shaving, reduction in drag and skinirritation, better hair cutting dynamics, and improved skinconditioning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the characteristic featuresof this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, theinvention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, maybe better understood by referring to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsand in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an assembledelectric shaver incorporating ultrasonic energizing means associatedtherewith;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the shaverillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-6 are enlarged schematic representations of the vibrationpattern of the guardmember and hair, to help illustrate the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an assembledelectric shaver incorporating ultrasonic energy means coupled to thecutter member, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the shaverillustrated in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged schematic representations of theinterrelationship of the various elements to help illustrate the presentinvention;

FIG. 10A is a greatly magnified view in schematic form of a portion ofthe elements illustrated in FIG. 10, to aid in explaining the principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an assembledelectric shaver incorporating ultrasonic energizing means coupled to thecutter members and guard member;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the shaverillustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an assembledelectric shaver incorporating essentially a single motor to produce boththe low frequency gross motion and high frequency mechanical vibrations;and

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view, in section, of the shaverillustrated in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawings indetail it will be seen that components not necessary for anunderstanding of the invention have either been omitted or showndiagrammatically.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 an electricdry shaver designated generally by reference numeral 10. The shaverincludes a boxlike housing 12 on which is superimposed a shaving headassembly 15. The housing 12 is formed of a housing member with anoutwardly facing opening 16. The shaving head assembly 15 is receivedwithin the opening 16 and cooperates with the housing 12 to form anenclosure 17 within which a conventional electric motor 18 is mounted.

As is well known in the art, the batteries may be provided in thehousing that are of the rechargeable variety, and suitable meansprovided for connecting the batteris to an external power source forrecharging purposes. A switch 20 controls the energization of the motor18.

The shaving head assembly 15 further includes an outer frame 24 whichcomprises an outer shearing or guard 25 in the form of a perforated combcapable of supporting vibrations in the ultrasonic range and an innercutter assembly 30. The guard member 25 in the form of a perforated combis a thin flexible member having an outer surface 26 adapted forengagement with the skin of the user and a spaced apart inner surface 28with a plurality of apertures 32 extending therebetween with eachaperture 32 having an inclined wall 34 merging with the respective innerand outer surfaces at an edge 36 and which is secured to a supportingframe 26 whereby the comb 25 assumes an inverted U- shape, as is bestshown in FIG. 1. In order to shear hair which extends through theperforations 32 in the guard member 25, there are a plurality of cuttersor cutting blades 40 which are carried by base 42 and having a frontedge 44 for shearing engagement with the underside surface 28 of thecomb 25. The structure of the guard member 25 and the inner cutterassembly 30 made up of the cutting blades 40, base 42 and supportingshaft 46 coupled to the motor 18, and extending from the bottom face 43with a spring 48 biasing the front end 44 of the blades 40 against theinner surface 28 of the guard member 25 is well known in the art, andtheir action need not be described in detail herein.

The cutter member 25 having a plurality of individual cutters 40 isalready well known inthe art and cooperates with the guard member orshear foil 25 that overlies the cutters 40 which latter can beconstructed in a known manner of a plurality of cutter blades mounted onor integral with a frame 42 or the like. The guard member 25 is a verythin foilwhich is provided with a great number of apertures orperforations 32 through which the hair or beard stubble can come intocontact with the cutters 40 respectively. In the illustrated embodimentthe shear foil 25 may be connected with the outer frame 24 in anyconventional manner and may be of the removable type well known in theart. However, it would also be possible to utilize a double shear foiloverlying two cutters in which case the shear foil would of course haveto be provided in the middle with suitable support.

At their outer ends, that is those which are connected with the outerwall of the housing, the guard member 25 is so mounted in known manneras to have a certain freedom of movement so that it can conform itselfto the contours and movements of the cutters 40 which are pressedagainst the guard member 25 from below under the biasing action ofspring 48, which is associated with the cutters 40.

The utilization of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations is illustrated withrespect to FIGS. 3 6, and particularly the relative movement of theguard member 25 and its apertures 32 extending in spaced relation toeach other between the outer surface 26 and the inner surface 28, witheach aperture 32 having a side wall 34 terminating in a wall edge 36defining the cross-sectional area which may be circular, rectangular, orany desired shape.

To produce the friction reduction effect to obtain the uptake in ratefor the hairs 50 extending from the skin 52, and having a front end oredge 55, to enter the apertures 32 of the guard member 25, ultrasonicvibration generating means 60 is utilized and is coupled to the guardmember 25 so as to apply ultrasonic energy to the outer surface toproduce mechanical vibrations having a component substantially normaland/or parallel to the outer surface 26 and skin 52. In this manner theresistance or friction of the inner wall 34 of the aperture 32 to thehair 50 is substantially reduced to permit a ready entrance of the hair50 within respective apertures 32. In this manner there is an increasein the rate of entry of the hairs 50 through the apertures 32.

Accordingly, the vibration generating means 60 includes a vibrationgenerator 62, which may be of an adjustable type to vary frequency,power, and amplitude, and one or more ultrasonic motors or transducers65 coupled to the underside surface 28 of the guard member 25 so as togenerate ultrasonic mechanical vibrations. The transducer 65 may be of acommercial type as of a piezoelectric element coupled to the guardmember 25 in energy transmission relation thereto as by a bondingmaterial or epoxy material.

The ultrasonic motor 65 may also be coupled to the guard member 25 on anexterior surface thereof. The ultrasonic motor may be of a variety ofconfigurations such as, electrodynamic, piezoelectric ormagnetostrictive, however, for the operating range of frequencies andspace available most desirable for an ultrasonic shaver, the transducer65 includes an element 66 which is preferably of the piezoelectric type.The transducer 65 produces ultrasonic .vibration which effects elasticvibration of the guard member 25 at a high frequency of at least 5,000cycles per second with peak accelerations of the order of at least l,Ogwhereby the frictional resistance to the hair 50 or skin 52 isquantitatively reduced so that the force to permit relative movement maybe of a relatively small magnitude. As defined herein the termultrasonic is intended to include vibrations in the range of 5,000 to1,000,000 cycles per second and preferably in the range of 15,000 to100,000 cycles per second.

The vibration may be continuous to vibrate the entire guard in phase, ordue to the thinness of the guard member 25 zones of vibratory motion maybe produced either in a predetermined spacing or by random vibration.Accordingly the generator means 62 may be of the type adapted tocontinuously vary the frequency of vibration of the transducer orultrasonic motor 65 so as to vary the position of the zones of vibrationtherealong so as to prevent substantial concentration or heat buildupalong the surface 26 at any location thereon. Preferably the guardmember 25 is vibrated in phase but due to the thinness of the guardmember it may vibrate having loops in certain areas and nodes (deadspots) in other areas. If a substantial portion of the guard member 25is actively vibrated the beneficial effects will still be obtainedexcept that by sweeping the frequency of vibration the nodal and loopareas are continuously changed at an ultrasonic rate such that for allintentional purposes each portion of the guard member 25 is activelyvibrated.

Due to the thickness of the guard member 25 the vibratory energyproduces motion having generally a component that is both normal to andparallel with the outer surface 26 such that the motion at each aperture32 is such that the wall 34 moves from the phantom line to the solidline of the wall at a rate say at 50,000 cycles per second. In thismanner the wall edge 36 likewise shifts in position such as that seen inFIG. 3. The end 58 of certain hairs may be at the edge 36 or beyond andby a normal pass of the razor the hairs 50 would not enter any aperture32. But, when the guard member 25 is made to vibrate as seen withrespect to FIG. 4 those hairs in the vicinity of the aperture tend toglide into a respective aperture.

Although the complete theory is not understood at this time it ispossible that the tips 55 of the hairs 50 may also be induced toflexurally vibrate so that it might wiggle its way into a respectiveaperture. In any event as seen in FIG. 5 those hairs 50 that would nothave entered an aperture 32 are respectively positioned therein. It isappreciated that the vibration pattern may have components of vibrationsubstantially parallel to the surface, norm'al thereto as seen in FIG.6, as well as elliptical, torsional, orbital etc.

By coupling one or more transducers 65 to the inner surface 28 of theguard member 25 a plurality of zones of vibratory motion may be obtaineddue to the thinness of the guard member 25, with the spacing of thezones being such that each hair 50 is substantially always exposed tozones of vibratory motion. It is possible to vibrate the entire supportsurface 26 in a certain phase relationship, but with respect to theutility it is deemed desirable that as long as there are sufficientnumber of zones of motion, having a component in the plane normal and/orparallel to the direction of movement of the skin 52, that the frictionreduction effect will be sufficient to permit the hairs 50 to extendinto the apertures 32 at a rapid speed. The magnitude of vibration asseen in FIG. 6, in that the outer surface 26 is moving from between thesolid line, at the end of a vibratory cycle, to the phantom surface lineat the other end of the vibratory cycle, approximately 50,000 cycles persecond, at say an amplitude of vibration of 0.0002 inch, whichessentially means that it is continuously falling away from the skinsurface 54 of the skin 50 at a quicker rate than the gravitational forceof gravity such that in a sense only upon the outer surface 26 reachingits peak height is it momentarily in contact with the skin 54. Thisphenomenon is a unique property of ultrasonic vibratory mechanicalenergy which can be utilized in a razor so as to permit it to moverelative to the skin with a minimum of resistance. Controlling thecoefficient of friction between the skin 52 and guard member 25 isobtained by varying the amplitude and/or frequency of vibration whichmakes it possible to control the degree of friction reduction, which maybe controllable by the individual user of the shaver if provision ismade therefore.

It has been found that, by reason of the vibrations in a planeperpendicular to the direction of the static force againsst the face,the frictional resistance of the guard member 25 to movement on the skin52 is very substantially reduced. A possible explanation of thisobserved phenomenon is that the extremely high acceleration of the uppersurface 26 of the guard member 25 resulting from the vibrations causesonly a relatively small sliding friction to be present between theengaged skin 54 and the guard surface 26. Thus, even though the skin 54is stationary the guard member 25 nevertheless is easily displaceeblewith respect thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the frequency of the vibrations between thesolid and phantom line at the free end portion of the guard member 25may be in the range from to 1,000 kilocycles per second,'while theamplitude of the vibrations is selected within the range fromapproximately 0.00001 to 0.010 inch so as to insure the introduction ofvibratory energy sufficient to substantially minimize the frictionalresistance of the skin surface 54 to the advancement of the guard member25. Accordingly by manually moving the ultrasonically vibrating guardmember 25 relative to the hairs 50 a substantial area may be shaved.

The converter 62 is illustrated to be of a size that can be pluggedwithin a wall outlet by means of its prongs 66 and connected by cable 68to the housing 12 and inturn connected in a conventional manner to theelectric motor 18 used to oscillate the cutter member 30 in thedirection of double headed arrow 70 to obtain the cross movement forcutting the hairs extending therethrough. The converter 62 may also beof the battery powered type and adapted for incorporation within thehousing 12, and may be of the type disclosed in a copending patentapplication Ser. .No. 1 19,298, filed Feb. 26, 1971 and assigned to theassignee of the present invention. The converter 62 is connected to theultrasonic motor 65 by leads 72 and 74 which are connected, as bysoldering, to both sides. of the crystal element, in a conventionalmanner. The dimensional relationship of crystals 65 and associated guardmember 25 are designed to be of a certain frequency. The switch 20 iswired to both motor 18 and the converter 62, and inturn motor 65 suchthat when placed in its on position we have simultaneous gross movementof the cutter member 30 in the direction of arrow 70 and guard member 25at an ultrasonic rate.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in whichthe electric razor 10a has the cutter member 30a ultrasonicallyenergized by the transducer means 65a. Mounted on the cutter member 30aare piezoelectric elements 66a and secured by a bonding agent or othermeans to the bottom surface 43a of the base 42a of the cutter member30a. A back element 80a may be secured to the rear surface of thetransducer element 66a by a bonding agent 82a with power leads 72a and74a secured to the transducer element 66a and rear block 80a or oppositesides of the transducer element 66a. The wires 72a and 74a are in turnconnected to the converter 62a which in this embodiment is containedwithin the housing 12a. As hereinafter explained since the static forcerequired to move the cutter member 30a relative to the guard member 25ais substantially reduced then the electric motor 18a used to oscillatethe cutter member 300 relative to the guard member 25a may be reduced inpower and in turn size. Obviously the cutter member may be the rotarytype or other type generally used and the inventors have merely utilizedthe oscillating type for purpose of illustrating the present invention.Furthermore the transducer means 65a may be of various shapes and sizesand coupled to the cutter member on various locations thereon. It isappreciated that there exists the possibility of forming all orsubstantially all of the cutter member from a transducer materialitself. Although wires are shown as coupling the electrical energy tothe transducers it is appreciated that contacting electrical arms mayalso be used as described in the above referenced co-pending patentapplication all of which subject matter is incorpoated herein byreference.

The electrical current is obtained by the plug 84a coupled to a walloutlet by prongs 85a and connected to a power cable 68a. When the switch20a is placed in its on position the cutter member 30a will vibrate oroscillate in the direction of arrow a and at the same time at anultrasonic rate as hereinafter discussed with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10.

The shaving head assembly 15a includes the outer frame 24a whichcomprises the outer shearing guard 25a in the form of a perforated comband an inner cutter assembly 30a. The guard member 25a in thisembodiment is also in the form of a perforated comb of a thin flexiblemember having an outer surface 260 and spaced apart inner surface 280with a plurality of apertures 32a extending therebetween with eachaperture 32a having an inclined wall 340 merging with the respectiveinner and outer surfaces at an edge 36a and which is secured to asupporting frame whereby the comb 25a assumes an inverted U-shape. Inorder to shear hair which extends through the perforations 32a the guardmember 25a includes a plurality of cutters or cutting blades 40a whichare carried by the base 42a and having a front edge 44a for shearingengagement with the underside surface 280 of the comb 25a. The structureof the guard member 25a and the inner cutter assembly 25a made up of thecutting blades 40a base 42a and supporting shaft 460 coupled to themotor 18a, and extending from the bottom face 43a with a spring 48abiasing the front end 44a of the blades 400 against the inner surface28a of the guard member 25a is well known in the art, and their actionneed not be described in detail herein.

The cutter member 25a having a plurality of individual cutters 40a isalready well known in the art and cooperates with the guard member orshear foil 25a that overlies the cutters 40a which latter can beconstructed in a known manner of a plurality of cutter blades mounted onor integral with a frame 42a or the like. The guard member 25a is a verythin foil which is provided with a great number of apertures 32a throughwhich the hair or beard stubble 50a can come into contact with thecutters 40a respectively. In the illustrated embodiment the shear foil250 may be connected with the outer frame 24a in any conventional mannerand may be of the removable type well known in the art.

At their outer ends, that is, those which are connected with the outerwall of the housing, the guard member 25a is so mounted in known manneras to have a certain freedom of movement so that it can conform itselfto the contours and movements of the cutters 40a which are pressedagainst the guard member 25a from below under the biasing action ofspring 48a, which is associated with the cutters 40a.

One aspect of the invention is the obtainment of the effects illustratedin FIGS. 3 6 by introducing the vibratory motion at an ultrasonic ratebut doing so through the intermittant contact of the output edge 44a ofthe blades 40a when the cutter member is ultrasonically vibrated in thismanner we also produce the friction reduction effect to obtain theuptake in rate for the hairs 50a extending from the skin 52a and havinga front edge 55a, to enter the apertures 32a of the guard member 25a. Inthis manner the resistance or friction of the inner wall 34a of theaperture 32a to the hair 50a is substantially reduced to permit a readyentrance of the hair 50a within respective apertures 320. In this mannerthere is an increase in the rate of uptake of the hairs 5011 through theapertures 320.

Accordingly, the vibration generating means 600 of this embodiment alsoincludes a vibration generator 620 which may be of an adjustable type tovary frequency, power, and amplitude, and one or more ultrasonic motorsor transducers 65a coupled to the underside surface 43a of the cuttermember 30a so as to generate ultrasonic mechanical vibrations. Thetransducer 65a may be of a commercial type as of a piezoelectric elementcoupled in energy transmission relation.

The transducers 65a produce ultrasonic vibration which effect elasticvibration of the cutter member 30a at a high frequency of at least 5,000cycles per second with peak accelerations of the order of at least1,000g whereby the frictional resistance to the movement of the blades400 relative to the surface 28a is quantitatively reduced so that theforce to permit relative movement may be ofa relatively small magnitude.This permits the use of a less powerfull motor 18a than is normallyrequired.

By coupling one or more transducers 65a to the lower surface 43a of thecutter member 30a each blade 42a is vibrated over a given amplitude andstroke such that the output edge of each blade 40a is out of contactwith the surface 2811 a substantial portion of the time as illustratedin FIGS. 9 and 10. The magnitude of friction reduction is in partrelated to the actual amplitude of vibration as seen in FIG. 10A, inthat the outer surface 44a is moving from between a normal rest positionindicated by the solid line to the phantom surface line at each end ofthe vibratory cycle, approximately 50,000 cycles per second, at say anamplitude of vibration of 0.0002 inch, which essentially means that itis continuously falling away from the guard surface 43a of the guardmember 25a at a quicker rate than the force of gravity would producesuch that in a sense only the outer edge 44a reaching its peak height isit momentarily in contact with the surface 28a. This phenomenon is aunique property of ultrasonic vibratory mechanical energy which can beutilized in a razor so as to permit it to move relative to the guardmember 25a with a minimum of resistance. Controlling the coefficient offriction between the cutter member 30a and guard member 25a is obtainedby varying the amplitude and/or frequency of vibration which makes itpossible to control the degree of friction reduction, which may becontrollable by the individual user of the shaver if provision is madetherefore.

It has been found that, by reason of the vibrations in a planeperpendicular to the direction of the static force against the guardmember 25a by the skin 52a the frictional resistance of the cuttermember 30a to movement of the guard member 25a is very substantiallyreduced. A possible explanation of this observed phenomenon is that theextremely high acceleration of the upper surface 44a of the cuttermember 30a resulting from the vibrations causes only a relatively smallsliding friction to be present between the engaged cutter edges 44a andthe guard surface 28a. Thus, even though the guard member 26a isstationary the cutter member 30a nevertheless is easily displaceablewith respect thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the frequency of the vibrations between thesolid and phantom line at the free end portion of the cutter member 25amay be in the range from 5 to 1,000 kilocycles per second, while theamplitude of the vibrations is selected within the range fromapproximately 0.00001 to 0.005 inch so as to insure the introduction ofvibratory energy sufficient to substantially minimize the frictionalresistance to the reciprocation of the cutter member 30a. A generalguide to design is, that the higher the frequency the smaller is thevibration amplitude needed to produce the desired friction reduction.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 the cutting edges 440are allowed to reciprocate at an ultrasonic frequency, and will approachand recede from the surface 28a to which it is applied many thousands oftimes every second. Let us follow the blade edge 44a during one completecycle of reciprocation. Let us say we start at the point where it is incontact with the surface 28a and instantly it recedes from that surfacedue to the oscillation and it continues to recede for a half cycle atotal distance defined by the strokes, with the amplitude A, definingone half of the stroke, of the motor as seen in FIG. 10, during the nexthalf cycle it again approaches the surface 28a coming in contact onceagain at the completion at the second half of the cycle. Now this wholeoperation has taken no more than l/50,000 ofa second as our ultrasonicmotors frequency is 50,000 vibrations per second. In this incrediblyshort period of time the acceleration of the output edge of the motor isso high that the surface being pressed against remains out of contactwith the edge during most of the cycle. From this it follows that that ablade member 30a being used in this manner will be out of contact withthe guard member 25a practically all the time with the result that thereis set up what is called a relatively impenetrable zone of motion. Theconsequence is that the high frequency oscillating blade 40aautomatically runs most of the time on an air film and the surfacefriction is greatly reduced. This produces an electric razor in which asmaller force is required to obtain the necessary gross movement asillustrated by arrow a of the cutter member 30a.

This is one outstanding property realizable in an ultrasonic razor. Inaddition, it is well known that the dynamic net force operating in amechanical system is equal to mass times acceleration, this is calledNewtons second law of motion. A consequence of this simple relationshipis that when the acceleration is extremely high (as in an ultrasonicmotor) then the dynamic force capability of such a motor is greatlymagnitied. This means that a blade edge 44a of the cutter member 300 dueto its reciprocation is able to penetrate hair with a high dynamicforce. Hence, in shaving terms such a shaver greatly reduces the dragordinarily incurred in actual cutting of hair at the same time.

Once the blade has entered a given hair the high frequency orreciprocation reduces the friction that the blade encounters in passingthrough the hair. These two factors add up to the potential that thehair extending through the guard member is cut clean through without thesharp points referred to above in connection with standard methods ofelectric shaving due to the extreme ease with which the hair is bent.Accordingly, as we endow the blade edge 44a of the cutter member 30awith the right kind of reciprocating motion, whatever good qualities theblade edge had prior to reciprocation it will continue to have with theaddition of the greater enhanced improvements described above. Furtherthe force, F, required to oscillate the cutter as indicated by the arrowwill be substantially reduced.

FIG. A is an enlarged view in schematic form to illustrate how thecombined actions of friction reduction and vibratory energy are combinedin one process.

First, the friction reduction effect might be explained by referring tothe working surface 44a of the vibrating blade 40a when said vibrator isat rest, i.e., when the transducer is not energized. When blade 40a isvibrated in the plane normal to the surface 280 of the guard a whilemoving in the direction as indicated by arrow 70a, it will have adirection or component of vibratory motion normal to the plane of saidmoving edge 44a. In accordance with the present invention, it has beenfound that a frequency range about 5,000 to 100,000 cycles per secondand an amplitude of vibration from 0.0001 inch to 0.010 inch permits theknown beneficial effects of friction reduction to play a role in theshaving process.

The vibrating blade a will vibrate with a stroke, S, in the direction ofmotion of the double-headed arrow 90a. This stroke creates the zone ofmotion as indicated by the shading produced by the spaced parallel solidand dash lines in FIG. 10A. The lines emanating on either side of theworking surface 44a which is also the plane of maximum velocity, V in agiven cycle of vibration, are initially spaced farthest apart, and asthey approach the maximum excursion that the cutter member traverses inone cycle, they diminish in spacing to indicate that the vibratoryvelocity has diminished. Thus, the shading is the closest at points Dwhere the acceleration is the highest, A and where the velocity is thelowest. Actually, a point, P, on the cutter surface 44a obeys a simpleequation as follows:

Displacement of P X A sin 2 ft Speed of P 21rfA cos 217 ft Accelerationof P a 41r f" A sin 21rft 411' f F Frequency of vibration S Stroke ofvibration A S/2 amplitude of vibration Thus we have Peak displacement A$65 Peak speed 21rfA 'rrfS V,,,,,,,

Peak acceleration 41r f A 21rfV,,,,,, We can comput a table of peakvalues for Equations I and II and we get the following approximate peakaccelerations:

Frequency (kilocycles per second) 50 kc. 20 kc. 10 kc. 5 kc. Peakdisplacement A (in.) 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 Peak speed V... (feet persecond) 5O 20 I0 5 Peak acceleration Am. (No. ofg's) 107,000 75,00018.750 4.690

Thus is seen that we have a high reciprocal rate process of relativelylow peak speed, but with very large peak accelerations.

In order for the separation of the guard member and cutter member tooccur during vibration, we must know the acceleration which the staticforce against the guard the spring 480 tends to produce in the urgingtogether of the two members if the cutter member against the guard has aweight W, then the static force, F,,, will produce in the weight, W, anacceleration given by For example, if we have a 0.10 lb guard member andthere is a static force of 5 lbs., then and the accelerations shownabove are sufficiently high to guarantee separation of the guard memberand cutter member during compression. However, even in cases wherecomplete separation does not occur, there is still a substantialbeneficial friction reduction effect arising from the presence of thevibrations.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in whichthe electric razor 10b has the cutter member 30b and the guard member25b ultrasonically energized by the vibration generating means 60b.Mounted on the cutter member 30b are piezoelectric elements 66b andsecured by a bonding agent or other means to the bottom surface 43b ofthe base 42b of the cutter member 30b. A back element b may be securedto the rear surface of the transducer element 66b by a bonding agent 82bwith power leads 72b and 74b secured to the transducer element 66b andrear block 80b or opposite sides of the transducer element 66b. Thewires 72b and 74b are in turn connected to the converter 62b which inthis embodiment is contained within the housing 12b. As explained hereinsince the static force required to move the cutter member 30b relativeto the guard member 25 b is substantially reduced then the electricmotor 18b used to oscillate the cutter member 30b relative to the guardmember 25b may be reduced in power and in turn size. It is appreciatedthat there exists the possibility of forming all or substantially all ofthe cutter member from a transducer material itself. Although wires areshown as coupling the electrical energy to the transducers it isappreciated that contacting electrical arms may also be used asdescribed in the above referenced co-pending patent application all ofwhich subject matter is incorporated herein by reference.

The electrical current is obtained by the plug 84b coupled to a walloutlet by prongs 85b and connected to a power cable 68b. When the switch20b is placed in its on position the cutter member 30b will vibrate oroscillate in the direction of arrow 70b and at the same time at anultrasonic rate.

The shaving head assembly 15b includes the outer frame 24b whichcomprises the outer shearing guard 25b in the form of a perforated comband an inner cutter assembly 30b. The guard member 25b in thisembodiment is also in the form of a perforated comb of a thin flexiblemember having an outer surface 26b and spaced apart inner surface 28bwith a plurality of apertures 32b extending therebetween with eachaperture 32b having an inclined wall merging with the respective innerand outer surfaces and which is secured to a supporting frame wherebythe comb 25b assumes an inverted U-shape. In order to shear hair whichextends through the perforations 32b the guard member 25b includes aplurality of cutters or cutting blades 40b which are carried by the base42b and. having a front edge for shearing engagement with the undersidesurface 28b of the comb 25b. The structure of the guard member 25b andthe inner cutter assembly 25b made up of the cutting blades 40b base 42band supporting shaft 46b coupled to the motor 18b and extending from thebottom face of 43b with a spring 48b biasing the front end of the blades40b against the inner surface 28b of the guard member 25b is well knownin the art, and their action need not be described in detail herein.

To produce the friction reduction effect to obtain the uptake in ratefor the hairs extending from the skin to enter the apertures 32b of theguard member 25b, ultrasonic vibration generating means 60b is utilizedand is coupled to the guard member 25b so as to apply ultrasonic energyto the outer surface to produce mechanical vibrations having a componentsubstantially normal and/or parallel to the outer surface 26b. In thismanner the resistance or friction of the inner wall of the apertures 32bto the hairs is substantially reduced to permit a ready entrance of thehair within respective apertures 32b. In this manner there is anincrease in the rate of entry of the hairs through the apertures 32b.

Accordingly, the vibration generating means 60b includes one or moreultrasonic motors or transducers 65b coupled to the underside surface28b of the guard member 25b so as to generate ultrasonic mechanicalvibrations, wires 72b and 74b connect the transducer element 66b to theconverter 62b. The transducer 65b may be of a piezoelectric elementcoupled to the guard member 25b in energy transmission relation theretoas by a bonding material or epoxy material.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of an electric razor 100of the invention in which the vibration generating means 60c includes avibration generator 62c contained in the housing 12c and an ultrasonicmotor 65c which is designed to vibrate the guard member 300 to produceboth gross motion as indicated by the arrow 70c and ultrasonic motion asindicated by the arrow 92c in a direction substantially parallel to theouter surface 26c and another component as indicated by arrow 90c havinga component substantially normal thereto.

The ultrasonic motor 65c may in part be generally of the type asdescribed in a co-pending patent application Ser. No. 38,149, filed May18, 1970, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and theinventor thereof is one of the inventors of the present invention. Theentire subject matter of said above copending application beingincorporated herein by reference.

The electrical current is obtained by the plug 840 coupled to a walloutlet by prongs 85c and connected to a power cable 68c. When the switchc is placed in its on position the cutter member 300 will vibrate oroscillate in the direction of arrow 70c and at the same time at anultrasonic rate as hereinafter discussed.

The shaving head assembly 15c includes the outer frame 24c whichcomprises the outer shearing or guard member 250 in the form of aperforated comb and an inner cutter assembly 300. The guard member 25cin this embodiment is also in the form of a perforated comb ofa thinflexible member having an outer surface 26c and spaced apart innersurface 280 with a plurality of apertures 32c extending therebetweenwith each aperture 320 having an inclined wall merging with therespective inner and outer surfaces and which is secured to a supportingframe whereby the comb 25c assumes an inverted U-shape. In order toshear hair which ex tends through the perforations 320 the guard member25c includes a plurality of cutters or cutting blades 40c which arecarried by the base 420 and having a front edge 446 for shearingengagement with the underside surface 28c of the comb 250. The innercutter assembly 30 is made up of the cutting blades 40c base 42c andsupporting shaft or transmission member 460 coupled to the motor 65c,and extending with the blades 400 against the inner surface 280 of theguard member 250. In th illustrated embodiment the shear foil 250 may beconnected with the outer frame 24c in any conventional manner and may beof the removable type well known in the art.

Accordingly, the vibration generating means 60c of this embodiment alsoincludes a vibration generator 62c which may be of an adjustable type tovary frequency, power, and amplitude, and the ultrasonic motor 65ccoupled to the underside surface 430 of the cutter member 30c so as togenerate ultrasonic mechanical vibrations.

The transducers 65c produce ultrasonic vibration which effect elasticvibration of the cutter member 30c at a high frequency of at least 5,000cycles per second with peak accelerations of the order of at least1,000g whereby the frictional resistance to the movement of the blades400 relative to the surface 38c is quantitatively reduced so that theforce to permit relative movement may be of a relatively smallmagnitude.

The motor 650 contained within the housing 12c has the transmissionmember or vertical shaft 46c extending therefrom and coupled to the base420 at the surface 43c. The casing 12c has a horizontal wall portion 92cwith an opening 940 and a similar wall 96c associated therewith andextending from the outer frame 240. A flexible closure is providedhaving a neck portion 98c in surrounding relation to the transmissionmember 460 to accept the gross motion and prevent cut hair from enteringthe inner casing and having an extending flat body portion 100a asecured to the wall 960.

The motor 650 at its lower end is comprised ofa pair of spaced apartelongated sections 102C and Me with coupling means in the form of asupport member 1050 maintaining the sections in a relatively fixedposition. The front end of section l04c has a contoured neck portion1086 that merges with the transmission member 46c. Supporting means inthe form of elastic members l10c are provided in contact with the casingwall 1 12c which may have a complimentary seat therefor. In this manner,if the elastic members 1100 are designed as springs of a stiffness suchthat the 60 cycle A.C. force at the low frequency motor 18c will vibratethe entire ultrasonic motor 65c, rather than relying on the simultaneousbending of the transmission member 460 with the high frequency and thelow frequency alternating current source.

The motor 650 further includes transducer means extending between thesections 102C and 104c in the form of spaced apart crystal elements 1120and 114C with a spaced metallic block 116a positioned therebetween withrespective end members 1186 and 1200 with a threaded fastener 1120 inthe form of a blot having a head 1240 extending therethrough. A lug 1250is contained below the head 124C with electrical lead 72c connected tospacer block 1160 and ground lead 74c to the lug 1250, which leads areinturn connected to the converter in a convertional manner.

Accordingly the motor 65c inparts to the cutters 40c the ultrasonicmechanical vibrations and the motor 180 as seen in FIG. 14 imparts thegross low frequency vibratory motion to the blades 400 which movement isat least equal to the diameter of the aperture 32c to sever the hairsextended through surface 260 and beyond surface 28c. Although variousmeans are available of obtaining the gross motion, one such form isillustrated herein, and as seen in FIG. 14 consists of magnets 126C and128C secured to the shaft 640 on opposite sides thereof and polarized inopposite directions. Motor supports 130s and 132a extend outwardly fromthe casing 120 in horizontal alignment with the magnets 126C and 1280.An iron core or members 1340 and 1360 are secured at the front of motorsupports l30c and 132C in spaced relation to the magnets 126c and 128Cto permit gross motion as the alternating low frequency current, i.e.,60 cycle per second, flows through the coil 138a in surrounding relationto the supports 130C and 123c. A choke 140a is connected between thecoil 138C and the wire 72c to keep the high frequency current out ofthis circuit. It is appreciated tha the motor 180 has been illustratedin a schematic form. The motor will induce oscillation in the arm 46cand inturn the necessary gross motion to the cutter member 300.Depending upon the motor mounting and thickness of the shaft 460 eitherthe complete motor will oscillate or just the shaft 466.

CONCLUSION From the foregoing, it will be evident that the applicationof ultrasonic energy to an electric dry shaver is effective to provide asignificantly improved shaving action. In accordance with the presentinvention, relatively small amplitude vibrations are employed in theguard and/or cutter for inducing various novel results. The instrumentis perfectly safe, whereby it may be regularly employed by men and womenthroughout the world without any special training or skill.

The reduction of the coefficient of friction between the hairs and guardapertures provides for an increase of the rate of entrance of the hairstherein to obtain a quicker shave which is most important for manyindividuals. In addition, a superior shaving action is provided by thehigh accelerations present at the cutter blades.

It will be seen therefore, that in accordance with the invention amethod of utilizing ultrasonic energy for improved shaving is provided,together with a novel form of apparatus by means of which the processmay be carried out. Although only a few general forms of the latter hasbeen illustrated, it will be recognized that many modifications thereofmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forexample,

the shape and configuration of the ultrasonic motor may be changedradically from that shown and different forms of coupling of the energyto the guard or cutter may be provided. Moreover, the casing asillustrated accommodates a transistorized oscillatory power supplyinstead of merely including a connection to an external source. Inaddition the guard and cutter element may take various configurations,such that both are purchased together and thereafter replaced as a unit.In addition the blade may be mounted in a shaving instrument in whichthe cutter is rotated as is presently the case in electric shavinginstruments, but at the same time ultrasonically vibrated in accordancewith the present invention. Also, in addition, although only electricmeans have been described to produce the low frequency reciprocal motionof the cutter blades, it will be evident tha mechanical type ofreciprocator might be just as well employed, such, for example, as ahandwound spring type motion, or a simple kinematical linkage assemblywhereby the power of the shavers hand, when moving the shaver over theface, will cause relative gross movement of the cutter elements and theflexible guard screen.

We claim:

1. A method of shaving hair comprising the steps of A. positioningadjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable of supportingvibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality of aperturesextending from an outer surface adapted for engagement with the skin ofthe user to an inner surface,

B. moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hairs extending through said apertures, and

C. inducing vibrations in said guard member at a frequency in theultrasonic range to increase the rate of uptake of the hairs throughsaid apertures.

2. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, and further includingthe step of moving said ultrasonically vibrating guard member relativeto the hairs to shave a substantial area thereof.

3. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein said guardmember is vibrated at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000cycles per second.

4. The method of shaving as defined in claim I, wherein said guardmember is vibrated at a frequency between about 15,000 and 100,000cycles per second.

5. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein said guardmember is manually moved relative to the skin surface.

6. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein the amplitude ofvibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of the guard member and thehairs.

7. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein the amplitude ofvibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of the guard member and saidcutter member.

8. The method of shaving as defined in claim I, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations in said guard member have a component of motion substantiallynormal to said outer surface.

9. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of at least l,000g insaid guard member.

It). The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, and further includingthe step of varying the frequency of vibration so as to vary the zonesof motion along said guard member to continuously have the hairsreceived through said apertures.

11. A method of guard hair comprising the steps of A. positioningadjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable of supportingvibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality of aperturesextending from an outer surface adapted for engagement with the skin ofthe user to an inner surface,

B. moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hairs extending through said apertures,

C. inducing vibrations in said shaving member at a frequency in theultrasonic range between about ,000 and 1,000,000 cycles per second tpproduce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g in said guardmember, wherein the amplitude of vibration of said guard member istransmitted to said cutter member to reduce the force required to obtainrelative movement therebetween and to increase the rate of uptake of thehairs through said apertures, and

D. moving said ultrasonically vibrating guard member relative to thehairs to shave a substantial area thereof.

12. The method of shaving as defined in claim 11, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of the guard member and thehairs.

13. The method of shaving as defined in claim 11, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have a component of motionsubstantially parallel to said outer surface.

14. The method of shaving as defined in claim 11, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have a component of motionsubstantially normal to said outer surface.

15. A method of shaving hair comprising the steps of A. positioningadjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable of supportingvibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality of aperturesextending from an outer surface adapted for engagement with the skin ofthe user to an inner surface,

B. moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hairs extending through said apertures, and

C. simultaneously inducing vibrations in said cutter member at afrequency in the ultrasonic range to enhance the cutting effectivenessof said cutter member.

16. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, and further includingthe step of moving said guard member relative to the hairs to shave asubstantial area thereof.

17. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, wherein said cuttermember is vibrated at a frequency between about 5,000 and l,000,000cycles per second.

18. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, wherein said cuttermember is vibrated at a frequency between about 15,000 and 100,000cycles per second.

19. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, wherein said guardmember is manually moved relative to the skin surface.

20. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15,

5 wherein the amplitude of vibration of said cutter member istransmitted to said guard member to increase the rate of uptake of thehairs through the apertures.

21. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said cutter member is sufficient to obtain a reductionof friction between the relative movement of the guard member and thecutter member.

22. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said cutter member have a component of motionsubstantially normal to said inner surface.

23. the method of shaving as defined in claim 15, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of atleast 1,000g in said cutter member.

24. A method of shaving hair comprising the steps of A. positioningadjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable of supportingvibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality of aperturesextending from an outer surface adapted for engagement with the skin ofthe user to an inner surface,

B. moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hair extending through said apertures,

C. simultaneously inducing vibrations in said cutter member at afrequency in the ultrasonic range at a frequency between about 5,000 and1,000,000 cycles per second to produce peak accelerations of the orderof at least 1,000g in said cutter member to enhance the cuttingeffectiveness of said cutter member, and

D. moving said guard member relative to the hairs to shave a substantialarea thereof.

25. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said cutter member have a component of motionsubstantially normal to said inner surface.

26. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein said guardmember is manually moved relative to the skin surface.

27. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said cutter member is sufficient to obtain a reductionof friction between the relative movement of the guard member and thehairs.

28. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said cutter member is sufficient to obtain a reductionof friction between the relative movement of the guard member and saidcutter member.

29. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein said cuttermember has a plurality of blades each vibrating at said ultrasonic rate.

30. A method of shaving hair comprising the steps of A. positioningadjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable of supportingvibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality of aperturesextending from an outer surface adapted for engagement with the skin ofthe user to an inner surface,

B. inducing vibrations in said guard member at a frequency in theultrasonic range to increase the rate of uptake of the hairs throughsaid apertures,

C. moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hairs extending through said apertures, and

D. simultaneously inducing vibrations in said cutter member at afrequency in the ultrasonic range to enhance the cutting effectivenessof said cutter member.

31. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, and further includingthe step of moving said ultrasonically vibrating guard member relativeto the hairs to shave a substantial area thereof.

32. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein said membersare vibrated at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.

33. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein said membersare vibrated at a frequency between about 15,000 and 100,000 cycles persecond.

34. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein said guardmember is manually moved reative to the skin surface.

35. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of said guard member and thehairs.

36. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of said guard member and saidcutter member.

37. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have a component of motionsubstantially normal to said outer surface.

38. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of atleast 1,000g in said guard member.

39. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, and further includingthe step of varying the frequency of vibration so as to vary the zonesof motion along said guard member to continuously have the hairsreceived through said apertures.

40. An electric razor comprising,

A. a guard member having a plurality of apertures extendingtherethrough,

B. a cutter member positioned on one side of said guard membersubstantially adjacent thereto,

C. means for moving said cutter member to obtain gross movement acrosssaid apertures, and

D. means for simultaneously vibrating said guard member at an ultrasonicrate to increase the rate of uptake of the hairs through said apertures.

41. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said guard memberis vibrated at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.

42. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said guard memberis vibrated at a frequency between about 15,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.

43. An electric razor as defined in claim40, wherein the amplitude ofvibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of said guard member and thehair.

44. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein the amplitude ofvibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of said guard member and saidcutter member.

45. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations in said guard member have a component of motion substantiallynormal to its outer surface.

46. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g insaid guard member.

47. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said means forvibrating said guard member is adapted to continuously vary thefrequency of vibration so as to vary the position of the zones of motionalong the guard member so as to continuously have the hairs receivedthrough said apertures.

48. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said means forvibrating said guard member at an ultrasonic rate includes transducermeans coupled thereto.

49. An electric razor as defined in claim 48, wherein said transducermeans includes a piezoelectric element coupled to said guard member inenergy transferring relation thereto.

50. An electric razor as defined in claim 48, wherein said means forvibrating said guard member at an ultrasonic rate includes convertermeans for transferring electric current to an ultrasonic rate.

51. An electric razor as defined in claim 50, wherein said converter iscontained in a housing adapted to be plugged into an electric outlet.

52. An electric razor as defined in claim 50, wherein .said converter iscontained within the housing provided for containing the electric razor.

53. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said guard memberis vibrated with peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g,whereby the frictional resistance to the motion between said guardmember and cutter member is quantitatively reduced so that the force toobtain relative movement between said guard member and cutter member isofa relatively small magnitude.

54. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations are transmitted to said cutter member to induce vibrationstherein.

55. An electric razor as defined in claim 40 wherein said ultrasonicvibrations in said guard member have a component of motion substantiallyparallel to its outer surface.

56. An electric razor comprising,

A. razor housing means,

B. a guard member having an outer surface and an inner surface with aplurality of apertures extending therethrough and mounted insubstantially fixed relationship to said housing means,

C. a cutter member having cutting elements .positioned adjacent theinner surface of said guard member within said housing means forsubstantial engagement of said cutting elements with said guard member,

D. means for moving said cutter member to obtain gross movement acrosssaid apertures for severing any hairs extending therethrough, and

E. means for simultaneously vibrating said guard member at an ultrasonicfrequency rate between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles per second toproduce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g in said guardmember, wherein the rate of uptake of the hairs through the apertures isincreased, said means including transducer means coupled to said guardmember in energy transferring relation thereto and a converter forenergizing said transducer means.

57. An electric razor as defined in claim 56, wherein said converter iscontained in a housing adapted to be plugged into an electric outlet.

58. An electric razor as defined in claim 56, wherein said converter iscontained within the housing provided for containing the electric razor.

59. An electric razor as defined in claim 56, wherein said cutter memberhas cutting elements extending therefrom for engagement with the guardmember, and said ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to said cuttingelements to substantially reduce the coefficient of sliding frictionbetween said guard member and said cutter member.

60. An electric razor comprising,

A. a guard member having a plurality of apertures extendingtherethrough,

B. a cutter member positioned on one side of said guard membersubstantially adjacent thereto,

C. means for moving said cutter to obtain gross movement across saidapertures, and

D. means for simultaneously vibrating said cutter member at anultrasonic rate.

61. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said means forvibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes transducermeans coupled thereto.

62. An electric razor as defined in claim 61, wherein said transducermeans includes a piezoelectric element coupled to said cutter member inenergy transfering relation thereto.

63. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said means forvibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes convertermeans for transforming electric current to an ultrasonic rate.

64. An electric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said ultrasonicrate is at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.

65. An electric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said ultrasonicrate is at a frequency between about 15,000 and 100,000 cycles persecond.

66. An electric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said converter iscontained in a housing adapted to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

67. An electric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said converter iscontained within the housing provided for containing the electric razor.

68. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said cutter memberhas cutting elements extending therefrom for engagement with the guardmember, and said ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to said cuttingelements to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction betweensaid guard member and said cutter member.

69. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said cutter memberis vibrated with peak accelerations of the order of at least 1000g,whereby the frictional resistance to the motion between said guardmember and cutter member is quantitatively reduced to that the force toobtain relative movement between said guard member and said cuttermember is of a relatively small magnitude.

70. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations are transmitted to the guard member to induce vibrationstherein to increase the uptake of the hairs through said apertures.

71. An electric razor comprising,

A. razor housing means,

B. a guard member having an outer surface and an inner surface with aplurality of apertures extending therethrough and mounted insubstantially fixed relationship to said housing means,

C. a cutter member having cutting elements positioned adjacent the innersurface of said guard member within said housing means for substantialengagement of said cutting elements with said guard member,

D. means for moving said cutter member to obtain gross movement acrosssaid apertures for severing any hairs extending therethrough, and

E. means for simultaneously vibrating said cutter member at anultrasonic frequency rate between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond to produce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g insaid cutter member and wherein the amplitude of vibration in said cuttermember enhances the cutting effectiveness thereof and the coefficient ofsliding friction between said guard member and said cutter member issubstantially reduced, said means including transducer means coupled tosaid cutter member in energy transferring relation thereto and aconverter for energizing said transducer.

72. An electric razor as defined in claim 70, wherein said transducermeans for vibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes:

a. a pair of sections,

b. transmission member one end coupled to said cutter member, and itsother end coupled to one of said sections,

c. coupling means for maintaining said sections in a relatively fixedposition relative to each other,

d. said transducer means extending between said sections for inducinghigh frequency vibrations in said transmission member in spaced relationto said ends, wherein vibrations are transmitted therethrough to inducevibrations at said end coupled to said cutter member, and

e. said means for moving said cutter member to obtain gross movement iscoupled to said transmission member.

73. An electric razor as defined in claim 72, wherein said transducermeans is of piezoelectric material.

74. An electric razor as defined in claim 72 wherein said transducermeans includes a pair of piezoelectric disks with an electrodetherebetween and spaced apart end members at least one of which is inengagement with said transmission member for transmitting vibrationsthereto.

75. An electric razor as defined in claim 72, wherein said transducermeans includes a central bolt which serves to compress said transducermeans between said end members.

76. An electric razor as defined in claim 72, further including meansfor mounting said ultrasonic motor within said casing.

77. An electric razor as defined in claim 76, wherein said mountingmeans is resilient to permit gross motion of said entire motor whileultrasonically vibrating.

78. An electric razor comprising,

A. a guard member having a plurality of apertures extendingtherethrough,

B. a cutter member positioned on one side of said guard membersubstantially adjacent thereto,

C. means for moving said cutter member relative to said cutter member toobtain gross movement across said apertures,

D. means for simultaneously vibrating said guard member at an ultrasonicrate wherein entrance of the hair within said apertures is enhanced, and

E. means for simultaneously vibrating said cutter member at anultrasonic rate to enhance the cutting effectiveness of said cuttermember.

79. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein said means forvibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes transducermeans coupled thereto.

80. An electric razor as defined in claim 79, wherein said transducermeans includes a piezoelectric element coupled to said cutter member inenergy transferring relation thereto.

81. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein said means forvibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes convertermeans for transforming electric current to an ultrasonic rate.

82. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein said ultrasonicrate is at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.

83. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein said ultrasonicrate is at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.

84. An electric razor as defined in claim 81, wherein said converter iscontained in a housing adapted to be plugged into an electric outlet.

85. An electric razor as defined in claim 81, wherein said converter iscontained within the housing provided for containing the electricalrazor.

86. An electric razor as defined in claim 72, wherein said cutter memberhas cutting elements extending therefrom for engagement with the guardmember, and said ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to saidindividual cutting elements.

87. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein said cutter memberis vibrated with peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g,whereby the frictional resistance to the motion between said guardmember and said cutter member is quantitatively reduced so that theforce to obtain relative movement between said guard member and saidcutter member is ofa relatively small magnitude.

88. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations of said cutter member is transmitted to the guard member toinduce said vibrations therein.

1. A method of shaving hair comprising the steps of A. positioningadjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable of supportingvibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality of aperturesextending from an outer surface adapted for engagement with the skin ofthe user to an inner surface, B. moving a cutter member relative to theinner surface of said guard member to sever the hairs extending throughsaid apertures, and C. inducing vibrations in said guard member at afrequency in the ultrasonic range to increase the rate of uptake of thehairs through said apertures.
 2. The method of shaving as defined inclaim 1, and further including the step of moving said ultrasonicallyvibrating guard member relative to the hairs to shave a substantial areathereof.
 3. THe method of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein saidguard member is vibrated at a frequency between about 5,000 and1,000,000 cycles per second.
 4. The method of shaving as defined inclaim 1, wherein said guard member is vibrated at a frequency betweenabout 15,000 and 100,000 cycles per second.
 5. The method of shaving asdefined in claim 1, wherein said guard member is manually moved relativeto the skin surface.
 6. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1,wherein the amplitude of vibration of said guard member is sufficient toobtain a reduction of friction between the relative movement of theguard member and the hairs.
 7. The method of shaving as defined in claim1, wherein the amplitude of vibration of said guard member is sufficientto obtain a reduction of friction between the relative movement of theguard member and said cutter member.
 8. The method of shaving as definedin claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations in said guard member havea component of motion substantially normal to said outer surface.
 9. Themethod of shaving as defined in claim 1, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g insaid guard member.
 10. The method of shaving as defined in claim 1, andfurther including the step of varying the frequency of vibration so asto vary the zones of motion along said guard member to continuously havethe hairs received through said apertures.
 11. A method of guard haircomprising the steps of A. positioning adjacent the hairs to be shaved aguard member capable of supporting vibrations in the ultrasonic rangeand having a plurality of apertures extending from an outer surfaceadapted for engagement with the skin of the user to an inner surface, B.moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hairs extending through said apertures, C. inducingvibrations in said shaving member at a frequency in the ultrasonic rangebetween about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles per second tp produce peakaccelerations of the order of at least 1,000g in said guard member,wherein the amplitude of vibration of said guard member is transmittedto said cutter member to reduce the force required to obtain relativemovement therebetween and to increase the rate of uptake of the hairsthrough said apertures, and D. moving said ultrasonically vibratingguard member relative to the hairs to shave a substantial area thereof.12. The method of shaving as defined in claim 11, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of the guard member and thehairs.
 13. The method of shaving as defined in claim 11, wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have a component of motionsubstantially parallel to said outer surface.
 14. The method of shavingas defined in claim 11, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations in said guardmember have a component of motion substantially normal to said outersurface.
 15. A method of shaving hair comprising the steps of A.positioning adjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard member capable ofsupporting vibrations in the ultrasonic range and having a plurality ofapertures extending from an outer surface adapted for engagement withthe skin of the user to an inner surface, B. moving a cutter memberrelative to the inner surface of said guard member to sever the hairsextending through said apertures, and C. simultaneously inducingvibrations in said cutter member at a frequency in the ultrasonic rangeto enhance the cutting effectiveness of said cutter member.
 16. Themethod of shaving as defined in claim 15, and further including the stepof moving said guard member relative to the hairs to shave a substantialarea thereof.
 17. The method of shaving as defined in claim 15, whereinsaid cutter member is vibrated at a frequency betWeen about 5,000 and1,000,000 cycles per second.
 18. The method of shaving as defined inclaim 15, wherein said cutter member is vibrated at a frequency betweenabout 15,000 and 100,000 cycles per second.
 19. The method of shaving asdefined in claim 15, wherein said guard member is manually movedrelative to the skin surface.
 20. The method of shaving as defined inclaim 15, wherein the amplitude of vibration of said cutter member istransmitted to said guard member to increase the rate of uptake of thehairs through the apertures.
 21. The method of shaving as defined inclaim 15, wherein the amplitude of vibration of said cutter member issufficient to obtain a reduction of friction between the relativemovement of the guard member and the cutter member.
 22. The method ofshaving as defined in claim 15, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations insaid cutter member have a component of motion substantially normal tosaid inner surface.
 23. the method of shaving as defined in claim 15,wherein said ultrasonic vibrations produce peak accelerations of theorder of at least 1,000g in said cutter member.
 24. A method of shavinghair comprising the steps of A. positioning adjacent the hairs to beshaved a guard member capable of supporting vibrations in the ultrasonicrange and having a plurality of apertures extending from an outersurface adapted for engagement with the skin of the user to an innersurface, B. moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of saidguard member to sever the hair extending through said apertures, C.simultaneously inducing vibrations in said cutter member at a frequencyin the ultrasonic range at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000cycles per second to produce peak accelerations of the order of at least1,000g in said cutter member to enhance the cutting effectiveness ofsaid cutter member, and D. moving said guard member relative to thehairs to shave a substantial area thereof.
 25. The method of shaving asdefined in claim 24, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations in said cuttermember have a component of motion substantially normal to said innersurface.
 26. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein saidguard member is manually moved relative to the skin surface.
 27. Themethod of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein the amplitude ofvibration of said cutter member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of the guard member and thehairs.
 28. The method of shaving as defined in claim 24, wherein theamplitude of vibration of said cutter member is sufficient to obtain areduction of friction between the relative movement of the guard memberand said cutter member.
 29. The method of shaving as defined in claim24, wherein said cutter member has a plurality of blades each vibratingat said ultrasonic rate.
 30. A method of shaving hair comprising thesteps of A. positioning adjacent the hairs to be shaved a guard membercapable of supporting vibrations in the ultrasonic range and having aplurality of apertures extending from an outer surface adapted forengagement with the skin of the user to an inner surface, B. inducingvibrations in said guard member at a frequency in the ultrasonic rangeto increase the rate of uptake of the hairs through said apertures, C.moving a cutter member relative to the inner surface of said guardmember to sever the hairs extending through said apertures, and D.simultaneously inducing vibrations in said cutter member at a frequencyin the ultrasonic range to enhance the cutting effectiveness of saidcutter member.
 31. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, andfurther including the step of moving said ultrasonically vibrating guardmember relative to the hairs to shave a substantial area thereof. 32.The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein said members arevibrated at a frequency beTween about 5,000 and 1, 000,000 cycles persecond.
 33. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein saidmembers are vibrated at a frequency between about 15,000 and 100, 000cycles per second.
 34. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30,wherein said guard member is manually moved reative to the skin surface.35. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein the amplitudeof vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain a reduction offriction between the relative movement of said guard member and thehairs.
 36. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein theamplitude of vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtain areduction of friction between the relative movement of said guard memberand said cutter member.
 37. The method of shaving as defined in claim30, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have acomponent of motion substantially normal to said outer surface.
 38. Themethod of shaving as defined in claim 30, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g insaid guard member.
 39. The method of shaving as defined in claim 30, andfurther including the step of varying the frequency of vibration so asto vary the zones of motion along said guard member to continuously havethe hairs received through said apertures.
 40. An electric razorcomprising, A. a guard member having a plurality of apertures extendingtherethrough, B. a cutter member positioned on one side of said guardmember substantially adjacent thereto, C. means for moving said cuttermember to obtain gross movement across said apertures, and D. means forsimultaneously vibrating said guard member at an ultrasonic rate toincrease the rate of uptake of the hairs through said apertures.
 41. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said guard member isvibrated at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles persecond.
 42. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said guardmember is vibrated at a frequency between about 15,000 and 1,000, 000cycles per second.
 43. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, whereinthe amplitude of vibration of said guard member is sufficient to obtaina reduction of friction between the relative movement of said guardmember and the hair.
 44. An electric razor as defined in claim 40,wherein the amplitude of vibration of said guard member is sufficient toobtain a reduction of friction between the relative movement of saidguard member and said cutter member.
 45. An electric razor as defined inclaim 40, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have acomponent of motion substantially normal to its outer surface.
 46. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations produce peak accelerations of the order of at least 1,000g insaid guard member.
 47. An electric razor as defined in claim 40, whereinsaid means for vibrating said guard member is adapted to continuouslyvary the frequency of vibration so as to vary the position of the zonesof motion along the guard member so as to continuously have the hairsreceived through said apertures.
 48. An electric razor as defined inclaim 40, wherein said means for vibrating said guard member at anultrasonic rate includes transducer means coupled thereto.
 49. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 48, wherein said transducer meansincludes a piezoelectric element coupled to said guard member in energytransferring relation thereto.
 50. An electric razor as defined in claim48, wherein said means for vibrating said guard member at an ultrasonicrate includes converter means for transferring electric current to anultrasonic rate.
 51. An electric razor as defined in claim 50, whereinsaid converter is contained in a housing adapted to be plugged into anelectric outlet.
 52. An electric razor as defined in cLaim 50, whereinsaid converter is contained within the housing provided for containingthe electric razor.
 53. An electric razor as defined in claim 40,wherein said guard member is vibrated with peak accelerations of theorder of at least 1,000g, whereby the frictional resistance to themotion between said guard member and cutter member is quantitativelyreduced so that the force to obtain relative movement between said guardmember and cutter member is of a relatively small magnitude.
 54. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 40, wherein said ultrasonicvibrations are transmitted to said cutter member to induce vibrationstherein.
 55. An electric razor as defined in claim 40 wherein saidultrasonic vibrations in said guard member have a component of motionsubstantially parallel to its outer surface.
 56. An electric razorcomprising, A. razor housing means, B. a guard member having an outersurface and an inner surface with a plurality of apertures extendingtherethrough and mounted in substantially fixed relationship to saidhousing means, C. a cutter member having cutting elements positionedadjacent the inner surface of said guard member within said housingmeans for substantial engagement of said cutting elements with saidguard member, D. means for moving said cutter member to obtain grossmovement across said apertures for severing any hairs extendingtherethrough, and E. means for simultaneously vibrating said guardmember at an ultrasonic frequency rate between about 5,000 and 1,000,000cycles per second to produce peak accelerations of the order of at least1,000g in said guard member, wherein the rate of uptake of the hairsthrough the apertures is increased, said means including transducermeans coupled to said guard member in energy transferring relationthereto and a converter for energizing said transducer means.
 57. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 56, wherein said converter iscontained in a housing adapted to be plugged into an electric outlet.58. An electric razor as defined in claim 56, wherein said converter iscontained within the housing provided for containing the electric razor.59. An electric razor as defined in claim 56, wherein said cutter memberhas cutting elements extending therefrom for engagement with the guardmember, and said ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to said cuttingelements to substantially reduce the coefficient of sliding frictionbetween said guard member and said cutter member.
 60. An electric razorcomprising, A. a guard member having a plurality of apertures extendingtherethrough, B. a cutter member positioned on one side of said guardmember substantially adjacent thereto, C. means for moving said cutterto obtain gross movement across said apertures, and D. means forsimultaneously vibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate. 61.An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said means forvibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes transducermeans coupled thereto.
 62. An electric razor as defined in claim 61,wherein said transducer means includes a piezoelectric element coupledto said cutter member in energy transfering relation thereto.
 63. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said means for vibratingsaid cutter member at an ultrasonic rate includes converter means fortransforming electric current to an ultrasonic rate.
 64. An electricrazor as defined in claim 63, wherein said ultrasonic rate is at afrequency between about 5,000 and 1,000, 000 cycles per second.
 65. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said ultrasonic rate isat a frequency between about 15,000 and 100, 000 cycles per second. 66.An electric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said converter iscontained in a housing adapted to be plugged into an electrical outlet.67. An electric razor as defined in claim 63, wherein said conveRter iscontained within the housing provided for containing the electric razor.68. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, wherein said cutter memberhas cutting elements extending therefrom for engagement with the guardmember, and said ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to said cuttingelements to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction betweensaid guard member and said cutter member.
 69. An electric razor asdefined in claim 60, wherein said cutter member is vibrated with peakaccelerations of the order of at least 1000g, whereby the frictionalresistance to the motion between said guard member and cutter member isquantitatively reduced to that the force to obtain relative movementbetween said guard member and said cutter member is of a relativelysmall magnitude.
 70. An electric razor as defined in claim 60, whereinsaid ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the guard member to inducevibrations therein to increase the uptake of the hairs through saidapertures.
 71. An electric razor comprising, A. razor housing means, B.a guard member having an outer surface and an inner surface with aplurality of apertures extending therethrough and mounted insubstantially fixed relationship to said housing means, C. a cuttermember having cutting elements positioned adjacent the inner surface ofsaid guard member within said housing means for substantial engagementof said cutting elements with said guard member, D. means for movingsaid cutter member to obtain gross movement across said apertures forsevering any hairs extending therethrough, and E. means forsimultaneously vibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic frequencyrate between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles per second to produce peakaccelerations of the order of at least 1,000g in said cutter member andwherein the amplitude of vibration in said cutter member enhances thecutting effectiveness thereof and the coefficient of sliding frictionbetween said guard member and said cutter member is substantiallyreduced, said means including transducer means coupled to said cuttermember in energy transferring relation thereto and a converter forenergizing said transducer.
 72. An electric razor as defined in claim70, wherein said transducer means for vibrating said cutter member at anultrasonic rate includes: a. a pair of sections, b. transmission memberone end coupled to said cutter member, and its other end coupled to oneof said sections, c. coupling means for maintaining said sections in arelatively fixed position relative to each other, d. said transducermeans extending between said sections for inducing high frequencyvibrations in said transmission member in spaced relation to said ends,wherein vibrations are transmitted therethrough to induce vibrations atsaid end coupled to said cutter member, and e. said means for movingsaid cutter member to obtain gross movement is coupled to saidtransmission member.
 73. An electric razor as defined in claim 72,wherein said transducer means is of piezoelectric material.
 74. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 72 wherein said transducer meansincludes a pair of piezoelectric disks with an electrode therebetweenand spaced apart end members at least one of which is in engagement withsaid transmission member for transmitting vibrations thereto.
 75. Anelectric razor as defined in claim 72, wherein said transducer meansincludes a central bolt which serves to compress said transducer meansbetween said end members.
 76. An electric razor as defined in claim 72,further including means for mounting said ultrasonic motor within saidcasing.
 77. An electric razor as defined in claim 76, wherein saidmounting means is resilient to permit gross motion of said entire motorwhile ultrasonically vibrating.
 78. An electric razor comprising, A. aguard member having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, B.a cutter member positioned on one side of said guard membersubstantially adjacent thereto, C. means for moving said cutter memberrelative to said cutter member to obtain gross movement across saidapertures, D. means for simultaneously vibrating said guard member at anultrasonic rate wherein entrance of the hair within said apertures isenhanced, and E. means for simultaneously vibrating said cutter memberat an ultrasonic rate to enhance the cutting effectiveness of saidcutter member.
 79. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, whereinsaid means for vibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonic rateincludes transducer means coupled thereto.
 80. An electric razor asdefined in claim 79, wherein said transducer means includes apiezoelectric element coupled to said cutter member in energytransferring relation thereto.
 81. An electric razor as defined in claim78, wherein said means for vibrating said cutter member at an ultrasonicrate includes converter means for transforming electric current to anultrasonic rate.
 82. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, whereinsaid ultrasonic rate is at a frequency between about 5,000 and 1,000,000 cycles per second.
 83. An electric razor as defined in claim 78,wherein said ultrasonic rate is at a frequency between about 5,000 and1,000, 000 cycles per second.
 84. An electric razor as defined in claim81, wherein said converter is contained in a housing adapted to beplugged into an electric outlet.
 85. An electric razor as defined inclaim 81, wherein said converter is contained within the housingprovided for containing the electrical razor.
 86. An electric razor asdefined in claim 72, wherein said cutter member has cutting elementsextending therefrom for engagement with the guard member, and saidultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to said individual cuttingelements.
 87. An electric razor as defined in claim 78, wherein saidcutter member is vibrated with peak accelerations of the order of atleast 1,000g, whereby the frictional resistance to the motion betweensaid guard member and said cutter member is quantitatively reduced sothat the force to obtain relative movement between said guard member andsaid cutter member is of a relatively small magnitude.
 88. An electricrazor as defined in claim 78, wherein said ultrasonic vibrations of saidcutter member is transmitted to the guard member to induce saidvibrations therein.